Dubee doesn't blame Kratz; he points to the pitchers

Manuel admits Galvis needs more time, but that would mean sitting Rollins or Utley.

April 09, 2013|By Mandy Housenick, Of The Morning Call

PHILADELPHIA — Erik Kratz sees one common denominator as to why the Phillies have the highest ERA in baseball: himself.

"There's one thing that's consistent out there and it's me," the catcher said. "I have to look at myself and look at how we're doing back there and if I can't help the team improve, then put [Humberto Quintero] back there. I have to do a better job."

Entering Monday night's game against the Mets, Kratz started five of the Phillies' first six games. During that time, Phillies pitchers posted an 8.37 ERA (40 ER in 43 innings). Four times in those games, the starters allowed five earned runs or more and none of them made it out of the sixth inning.

There's another theory as to why the pitching staff limped into Monday's game with a 7.10 ERA: Roy Halladay.

The veteran right-hander told reporters in Atlanta last Wednesday that he threw a "half-hearted" pitch to Justin Upton, who homered in that at-bat.

"We talked about going away to him," Halladay went on to tell writers at Turner Field. "If we were going in, we were going to stand him up. We went in with a low target, which isn't what we wanted to do. You're not going to get him out there. What I wanted to do wasn't executed."

That night, Halladay allowed five earned runs on six hits, including two home runs, in 31/3 innings. The five rotation members carried a 6.75 ERA into Monday's game. The bullpen's ERA was 7.79 before Monday.

Kratz said Halladay never voiced his displeasure to him and was unaware of the two-time Cy Young winner's comments until reporters informed him Monday afternoon. Manager Charlie Manuel knew nothing about perceived lack of communication between Halladay and Kratz.

In fact, the manager emphasized that Quintero had started only one of the first six games (when John Lannan pitched Saturday) and he wanted to get him back in there.

Although the numbers after one game this year don't tell an encouraging story when it comes to Kratz catching Roy Halladay, what happened last year may surprise you.

A season ago, Halladay actually had better numbers when Kratz was behind the plate than when Carlos Ruiz was there. In the 48 innings Kratz caught Halladay, the veteran posted a 3.00 ERA with nine walks and 37 strikeouts, giving him a SO/BB ratio of 4.11. Opponents hit .246 against him.

In the 98 innings Ruiz caught Halladay, the two-time Cy Young winner had a 5.42 ERA with 86 strikeouts and 22 walks, giving him a 3.91 SO/BB ratio. Opposing hitters batted .274 against him.

In pitching coach Rich Dubee's eyes, there's no reason for Kratz to be shouldering the blame for the lack of success the pitchers have had.

"I don't know that we're not on the same page — we're not making good pitches, first of all," he said. "We've got the ball in our hand. We're not making good pitches if you look at us. That's the biggest problem. We haven't got the ball in the strike zone early in the count enough to get ahead like we should. That's the only way you get deep in this game is if you're starting pitchers are pounding the strike zone."

Where's Galvis?

The thought was Manuel could get Freddy Galvis 300 at-bats this season. It's something Manuel reiterated during the offseason and spring training.

For that to happen, the pace needs to be picked up. The backup infielder had just two at-bats entering Monday's game.

"Yeah he's definitely got to play some," Manuel said. "We've played six games and our infield has been playing OK. I've got to find him some playing time. He needs to stay sharp and be in the lineup every now and then."

For Manuel to write his name on the lineup card, he will likely have to give shortstop Jimmy Rollins or second baseman Chase Utley a day off, something he's been reluctant to do.

At this time last season, Galvis was started every day at second base for Utley, who was on the disabled list with recurring knee problems.

NOTES: Cole Hamels leads the NL in earned runs allowed (13), is third in hits allowed (16) and is tied for third in walks (5). … The Phillies entered play Monday tied for first in the league in stolen bases with seven.